By Erik Gudris | Saturday, May 9, 2015
Rafael Nadal put on a forehand clinic as he beat Tomas Berdych to reach his 41st ATP Masters final in Madrid.
Photo Credit: Mutua Madrid Open
Rafael Nadal showed off his best tennis all week at the Mutua Madrid Open in earning a straight sets win to reach the final. Perhaps even more important, the Spanish superstar finally started showing signs that his game may be getting back on track in time for the upcoming French Open.
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Waiting for Nadal in Saturday's semifinal was No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych. The big-serving Czech beat Nadal in their last meeting at the Australian Open in January. But even with Berdych showing more improvement this season, could he pull off another upset in front of Nadal's home crowd?
Early on in the first set, Berdych stayed level with Nadal despite being unable to make inroads on the Spaniard's serve. Nadal enjoyed holding serve at love in several of his service games. Berdych fended off a break point on his serve at 3-all with an ace.
Nadal would get another chance to break Berdych later at 5-all after the reigning Madrid champion hit one of his trademark curling topspin forehand winners.
But again Berdych denied Nadal his break point and later closed out the game with an ace.
Both men entered a tiebreak, but it was Nadal who took hold of an early lead. Once again using his forehand to his advantage, Nadal struck a crosscourt winner followed up with another winner on that side to create set points. Nadal then secured the set 7-6(3).
The second set proved to be all about Nadal and his forehand. Striking it with more authority and accuracy, Nadal again used it to pressure Berdych.
Berdych got into trouble serving from behind at 1-2. He fought off three break points but Nadal soon found himself with a fourth chance. Nadal struck another piercing forehand winner to take the lead 3-1.
Nadal got into the groove with his forehand as Berdych could not come with answers to stop his opponent's charge. Facing another break point, Berdych would double fault and thus handed Nadal a 5-1 lead.
Nadal hit his 16th forehand winner of the match to create three match points on his serve. He only needed one as he fired down a final big serve to end the afternoon with a 7-6(3), 6-1 victory.
Key Stats: Berdych only won 45% of his first serve points. Nadal hit a total of 24 winners (16 from his forehand) and committed only 11 unforced errors.
Madrid is now the first ATP Masters 1000 final of the year for Nadal. It's also his 41st career Masters final and 54th career clay court final. Nadal goes in search of his 28th Masters 1000 title.
Nadal awaits the winner of the Andy Murray versus Kei Nishikori semifinal.